< Back to situations

Get alerts on this situation

We’ll email you as it develops, and you can follow the whole thread from day one.

Unsubscribe anytime.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 23 sources · 6 days · First seen 8 days ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Categories: CRIME

Greek organized crime murder investigation

Entities: Vangelis Zampouni · Greek Mafia · German police · Vangelis Zambounis · Germany

Overview

In early August 2026, the Hellenic Police’s Organized Crime Unit (ELAS) identified Russian national Alexey Shokpa as a suspect in the January 2024 killing of fuel-station owner Vangelis Zampouni in Athens.

A week later, German authorities arrested a 31-year-old man in Biersen under a European arrest warrant. Linked to the Zampouni murder, as well as the killings of Giannis Skafthourou, Roumbeti, and Mouzakitis, the suspect is identified as a member of a Russian-speaking criminal organization led by an individual known as "Entik." The group, often referred to as the "Greek Mafia," is involved in illegal tobacco production and trafficking, extortion, and violent attacks. The 31-year-old faces additional charges related to an attempted murder, the kidnapping of a prison officer, and the illegal possession of a Kalashnikov-type weapon. Greek prosecutors have initiated formal extradition proceedings.

In a related development, Greek police arrested a 49-year-old member of the same organization in Palaio Faliro. This individual, who had previously fled abroad, is accused of being part of the group's operational wing responsible for extorting and assaulting business owners. A second person was also detained for aiding the 49-year-old.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 9 SOURCES] A 31-year-old man was arrested in Germany following cooperation between Greek and German authorities. (Greek Police)
[● 9 SOURCES] The arrested individual is accused of three murders and one attempted murder in Greece. (Greek Police)
[● 9 SOURCES] The suspect is a member of a criminal organization led by 'Entik' involved in illegal tobacco production and trafficking. (Greek Police)
[● 9 SOURCES] Extradition processes from Germany to Greece have been initiated for the 31-year-old. (Greek Police)
[● 8 SOURCES] The 31-year-old faces charges including possession of a Kalashnikov rifle and kidnapping of a correctional officer. (Greek Police)
[● 4 SOURCES] A 49-year-old member of the same criminal organization was arrested in Palaio Faliro, Greece. (Greek Police)
[● 3 SOURCES] The 31-year-old is wanted for the murder of Vangelis Zambounis in January 2024. (Greek Police)

Timeline

2 days ago

[CRIME] 14 sources
Greek Mafia: Key members arrested in Germany and Greece
A 31-year-old suspected
8 days ago

[CRIME] 9 sources
Greek police release suspect details in Vangelis Zampouni murder
Greek police (ELAS) published the identity and photo of Russian suspect Alexey Shokpa, wanted for the 14 Jan 2024 murder of Vangelis Zampouni in Neo Kosmos, Athens, urging public tips.

Sources

athensmagazine.gr · bizznews.gr · cnn.gr · dikaiologitika.gr · e-typos.com · efsyn.gr · eleftherostypos.gr · enikos.gr · ertnews.gr · fonimaleviziou.gr · insider.gr · kreis-elchniederung.de · larissanet.gr · naftemporiki.gr · news.gr · newsauto.gr · newsbeast.gr · paraskhnio.gr · pelop.gr · real.gr · stoxos.gr · thetoc.gr · tovima.gr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history